Escaped

So...I Was feeding my big mama pied and the rat climbed out. Now, I have him locked in the closet with my snake rack. I can’t get being the rack. No room in the closet that is under the stairs! Should I let my biggest snake loose in the closet to find and destroy her lunch??? No way they can get out of the room. Opinions


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Personally I would not risk any of my snakes to take on live rats...and the rat may have an advantage in a closet with many things in the way that might
make it awkward for the snake to constrict effectively. Nope, I think the rat is your job now.

I did that once. Set my most voracious eater overnight under the coffee table with a space heater. Next morning rye python was still there under the table... rat was gone.

Yet another reason to feed frozen thawed.

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

I did that once. Set my most voracious eater overnight under the coffee table with a space heater. Next morning rye python was still there under the table... rat was gone.

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Considering the number of house fires that are started by over-turned space heaters, I think you were very fortunate, as were your snakes that could have perished.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Considering the number of house fires that are started by over-turned space heaters, I think you were very fortunate, as were your snakes that could have perished.

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That’s Rubbish, considering I run a space heater all winter with zero problems, the thing weighs 8 times the snake and she couldn’t overturn it

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

That’s Rubbish, considering I run a space heater all winter with zero problems, the thing weighs 8 times the snake and she couldn’t overturn it

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I "beg to differ"- please consider the number of people who may read your post here & decide to do likewise with less success than you had...that's all I'm saying. :snake:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I "beg to differ"- please consider the number of people who may read your post here & decide to do likewise with less success than you had...that's all I'm saying. :snake:

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Many many reptile owners keep reptile rooms warm with a space heater, so I’m not sure what you are implying, but it doesn’t take rocket science to safely run an electric space heater.

I am sure a 4 pound snake cannot possibly knock over a 38 pound square shaped object without defying the laws of physics,

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Many many reptile owners keep reptile rooms warm with a space heater, so I’m not sure what you are implying, but it doesn’t take rocket science to safely run an electric space heater.

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Not implying anything...I have nothing against space heaters, but I don't think that a loose snake + a space heater are a good mix. Even if the snake isn't big enough
to knock over your heater, they ARE big enough to push flammable things closer to it. And every year there are articles like this one to remind people to stay safe when
using them. I would hope that everyone reading this forum & keeping snakes are making the safest choices...that's what I was saying & it sure wasn't personal.
While it doesn't take "rocket science" to safely run a space heater, it's hard to argue with the statistics.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...eaths/5414447/

Peace?

A 4 pound snake cannot push over a heavy space heater, but they sure can crawl on it, or even into it in some instances.
We already know they aren't the smartest to move off of objects that are burning them. Space heaters get HOT while they run. Very hot.

I'd be even more afraid of finding the rat AND snake gone, come morning. Snakes can disappear into the smallest of spaces.

Just not a good idea to let a snake loose, after a loose rat. IMHO ;) Set a trap. Doesn't have to be a cruel trap, if you want to catch the rat alive.

Well, I did set a trap. A live very aggressive feeding snake, and a small bowl of peanut butter as bait. [emoji6] we can agree to disagree, but I’d do it again. I almost always feed frozen thawed anyway, so this was a very rare occasion.

The trap idea was directed at the OP, since he still has a rat loose ;)

In your case, the idea of a loose snake and a very hot appliance is what worried me. We don't like heat rocks for that reason, or exposed light bulbs. A space heater gets hotter then that. :oops:

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Originally Posted by zina10

The trap idea was directed at the OP, since he still has a rat loose ;)

In your case, the idea of a loose snake and a very hot appliance is what worried me. We don't like heat rocks for that reason, or exposed light bulbs. A space heater gets hotter then that. :oops:

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And yes, Godzilla78...many use a space heater to heat their snake rooms, but I'm betting that NO ONE leaves their snakes LOOSE in that room. :rolleyes:

Yes, I’m way in the minority here, but I’m not nearly as paranoid about a loose snake as almost everyone else. I have maybe just had good luck, but snake’s “loose” in my house have never been an issue. They are not as stupid or helpless as people seem to assume.
Just my own little opinion.
It was quite amusing that the “live trap” was so effective. I was fully expecting the possibility of having to look for her in the morning, but in the morning there she was resting under the couch right near the coffee table where I left her. The heater was because it was winter, and I knew she would not stray far from it.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

And yes, Godzilla78...many use a space heater to heat their snake rooms, but I'm betting that NO ONE leaves their snakes LOOSE in that room. :rolleyes:

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Well I do. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Well I do. :rolleyes:

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So much for promoting "best practices" on this forum...:rolleye2:

Yes, on this forum we can’t ALL be perfect, super-safe, paranoid, obsessive compulsive snake owners. Some are just living on the edge of total disaster! Shame shame

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Yes, I’m way in the minority here, but I’m not nearly as paranoid about a loose snake as almost everyone else. I have maybe just had good luck, but snake’s “loose” in my house have never been an issue. They are not as stupid or helpless as people seem to assume.
Just my own little opinion.
It was quite amusing that the “live trap” was so effective. I was fully expecting the possibility of having to look for her in the morning, but in the morning there she was resting under the couch right near the coffee table where I left her. The heater was because it was winter, and I knew she would not stray far from it.

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You can do whatever you want with your snake, but if majority is saying this is a bad practice it's best not to encourage others to do the same thing.

You've been lucky so far and that luck may not extend to other owners. Frankly it's a bad example that I hope others don't follow. You may be convinced there are no risks involved in your personal experience but there is no gaurantee that will apply to everyone.

If things have been working for you then great! But don't assume everyone will have the same results and promote a careless practice.

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We aren't all the same ;)

And I'll be the first to admit, I'm not perfect. But I do try to keep my animals safe. Godzilla, it is absolutely your prerogative to do as you please with your animals.
I just don't feel that a snake in a large room with no heat source other then a space heater to crawl on is really not fair to the animal. We've all seen the many snakes with devastating burns, and that was just from unregulated heat tape or rock. I take stupid risks all the time, with myself, but try to do better for the animals in my care, that only have me to rely on. But again, your animal, your decision. Let's not look down on one another.

Back to OP and on topic. There are small traps, much like a trap for racoons only way smaller, that work GREAT. You can safely trap the rat and then do with it as you please. Even if you think the room cannot be gotten out of, the loose snake may just find the spot. Its amazing what they can squeeze through. Or attempt to do. We have seen the injuries on snakes that tried to squeeze in or out of areas they couldn't, and the damage it did. Not to mention that rat may turn on your snake instead EVEN if you leave rat food in there. Some rats prefer "fresh".

The possible outcome of the snake hunting and eating the rat without coming to any harm just doesn't justify the risk, in my humble opinion ;)

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

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[emoji1360] [emoji23]

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

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^Seriously LOL, I'm laughing at this topic is even up for debate. :confusd: